They’re finding all sorts of ways to inject new life into golf BY MIKE STETZ

We all know the problems that golf faces.

It’s pointless to go over the laundry list— again. Plus, it’s kind of a downer. It’slike hitting from one bunker into anotherone. It’s like three-putting. It’s like …You get the idea ...

So let’s move on, already. Because a
number of people in the golf industry
are doing exactly that with con;dence,
energy and focus. ;ey’re not three-putting! ;ey’re chipping in! (Or at least getting close to the pin.)

Golf Inc. went searching for innovatorsbecause golf needs them. And the goodnews is that they are out there, creatingnew, exciting concepts to move the gameforward.

Take Topgolf, which has transformed
the simple driving range. More accurately, it blew up the old model. ;ese
ranges draw customers as much for the
music, food and drinks as they do for
golf. Topgolf is attracting a strange, odd,
foreign demographic to golf — young
people.

;en there’s FootGolf, which is attract-ing that same demographic to the golfcourse. However, they don’t cart clubs,Other innovators have taken what golfdoes well — such as bring people togetherfor charitable causes — and improvedthese events by using new technology toattract more participants and raise moremoney.

;e people behind these e;orts are
convinced that golf has a natural and
powerful allure. It just needs a spark here
and there. And the innovators — via
imagination, guts and hard work — are
providing it.

No. 1ERIK ANDERSON

Executive Chairman
Topgolf

Just about every golfer has trudged to the
driving range, gotten a bucket of balls and
hit shot a;er shot. Sure, it may help your
game, but it isn’t exactly a thrill fest. ;e
most fun is trying to hit the ball-retrieving
machine.

Now comes Topgolf. And prepare your
senses for quite the ride.

Topgolf is a party scene. It’s got music,
drinks, high-def TVs, pool tables. And a
driving range — unlike one you’ve ever
seen. At night, it’s lit up. You hit golf balls
with microchips that tell you where they
land. A number of di;erent competitions